Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment. (2025, 15 Marks)

Paper	GS Paper 1
Word Limit	250 words
Syllabus Topic	Poverty and Developmental Issues

Model Answer

The Brundtland Report (1987) defined sustainable development as meeting present needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs. In India, millions of poor people depend directly on land, forests and cheap fuel. So green rules can sometimes clash with their daily needs.

Where the Conflict Arises

• Livelihoods: Mining bans or forest restrictions hit tribal and forest-dependent people.
• Displacement: Creating protected areas and tiger reserves often relocates villages.
• Jobs: Closure of polluting units, like Sterlite Copper, Thoothukudi (2018), causes job losses.
• Energy: Coal still produces most of India’s electricity and supports jobs in States like Jharkhand.
• Urban poor: Construction bans under GRAP in Delhi hurt daily-wage workers.
• Farmers: Alternatives to stubble burning raise costs for small farmers.

Why It Need Not Be a Conflict

• The poor suffer most from pollution, heatwaves and floods. Indira Gandhi at Stockholm (1972) called poverty and need the greatest polluters.
• Green schemes also reduce poverty: PM Ujjwala Yojana (2016), PM-KUSUM solar pumps and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (2024).
• The Forest Rights Act, 2006 gives forest dwellers rights over land and forest produce.
• In the Niyamgiri case (2013), the Supreme Court let gram sabhas decide on mining.

Way Forward

• Just transition: reskilling for coal and industrial workers.
• Fair compensation and benefit-sharing with local people.
• Green jobs in solar, waste and water conservation.

Conclusion

Growth and nature are not enemies when the poor are made partners. Linking SDG 1 (No Poverty) with SDG 13 (Climate Action) is the path to an inclusive Viksit Bharat 2047.

Related PYQs

• Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples. (2025)
• How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice? (2025)
• COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment. (2020)

Also read: Tribal development: displacement and rehabilitation (GS1 2025)